Southwest's Amanda Sanchez (center) is congratulated by teammates after she scored against Brandeis during the third inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Southwest's Amanda Sanchez (center) is congratulated by teammates after she scored against Brandeis during the third inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS/EXPRESS-NEWS

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Southwest's Celeste Hernandez reacts after making the final out of the game against Brandeis during the seventh inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Southwest's Celeste Hernandez reacts after making the final out of the game against Brandeis during the seventh inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS/EXPRESS-NEWS

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Brandeis' Anna Parnin bobbles a ball hit by Southwest's Brittany Avila during the second inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Brandeis' Anna Parnin bobbles a ball hit by Southwest's Brittany Avila during the second inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS/EXPRESS-NEWS

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Brandeis' Anna Parnin (left) and Brandeis' Melissa Rodriguez collide while making a catch to get Southwest's Elizabeth Phillips out during the first inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Brandeis' Anna Parnin (left) and Brandeis' Melissa Rodriguez collide while making a catch to get Southwest's Elizabeth Phillips out during the first inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School.

Southwest's Brittany Avila misses a hit by Brandeis' Lauren Torres during the third inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Southwest's Brittany Avila misses a hit by Brandeis' Lauren Torres during the third inning Monday, May 2, 2011, at Southwest High School. Southwest won 8-4.

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS/EXPRESS-NEWS

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Southwest softball advances with win over Brandeis

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Katrisha Arocha didn't attribute her struggles over the weekend to her still recovering shoulder or even the sweltering heat. The Southwest ace blamed it on sunshine.

“I guess it's superstition, but when I'm playing under the lights, I get into this mode where I'm pitching so much harder than I do during the day,” Arocha said. “You feel like this is it. This is the real thing.”

She felt that on a chilly Monday night on her home field in the decisive third game against Brandeis, pitching the Dragons to an 8-4 victory and into the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Southwest will face Madison later this week.

True to her superstition, Arocha struggled at the beginning of the game when the sun was still out by giving up a two-run home run in the first inning to Broncos sophomore Anna Parnin.

Once the lights came on in the third inning, however, Arocha found her groove. She collected all eight of her strikeouts and allowed four hits after that point.

Vivian Tijerina broke the tie with a single up the middle to score Avila. Her familiarity with Brandeis pitcher Victoria Silva, her select teammate, paid off.

“All weekend, she's been throwing me outside, so I knew I just had to go with the pitch,” Tijerina said.

Catcher Dora Guzman broke the game open with a two-run double off the right-field wall. Southwest scored five runs in the inning.

Brandeis' Christy Trevino tripled to lead off the seventh and scored on an illegal pitch, but Arocha closed the door to send Southwest to the second round, where she would — not surprisingly — prefer a night game.

“Let's hope so,” she said. “But with this confidence, we'll do really well anytime.”